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Jingliang Simon Zhang @simonomisz.bsky.social · 9d

Many thanks to Brian, Clayton and @sethblackshaw.bsky.social for the computational analysis, Caterina, Meghana and Ya-Wen for the samples, and @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social for the mentorship and support throughout the journey. Thrilled to see what discoveries lie ahead! 👀

Jingliang Simon Zhang @simonomisz.bsky.social · 9d

Excited to share my PhD work! We characterize waves of cell death during human retinal development, and show how blocking apoptosis promotes RGC long-term survival and alters their developmental dynamics in organoids. These findings will improve future organoid design for retinal disease modeling‼️

Bob Johnston @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social · 9d

Check this paper from @simonomisz.bsky.social in our lab!
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
Human retinas/organoids go through 2 apoptotic waves. Organoids also have a necrotic wave. Blocking apoptosis promotes RGC survival to day 200 (usually die!). Apoptosis promotes normal neurogenesis/maturation.

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Jingliang Simon Zhang @simonomisz.bsky.social · 9d

Excited to share my PhD work! We characterize waves of cell death during human retinal development, and show how blocking apoptosis promotes RGC long-term survival and alters their developmental dynamics in organoids. These findings will improve future organoid design for retinal disease modeling‼️

Bob Johnston @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social · 9d

Check this paper from @simonomisz.bsky.social in our lab!
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
Human retinas/organoids go through 2 apoptotic waves. Organoids also have a necrotic wave. Blocking apoptosis promotes RGC survival to day 200 (usually die!). Apoptosis promotes normal neurogenesis/maturation.

Blocking apoptosis promotes survival and alters developmental dynamics of human retinal ganglion cells in retinal organoids

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the projection neurons that transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. In many species, a substantial proportion of RGCs are eliminated by programmed c...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by Jingliang Simon Zhang

Seth Blackshaw @sethblackshaw.bsky.social · Aug 5

Our latest preprint is out, focusing on characterizing the response of Lhx6-positive neurons of the zona incerta (ZI) to naturally-occurring and experimentally-induced changes in the need to sleep, also known as sleep pressure.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Sleep pressure is differentially regulated by molecularly distinct subtypes of Lhx6-positive and Lhx6-negative neurons of the zona incerta

Sleep pressure, the accumulating drive towards sleep during wakefulness, is shaped by Lhx6-positive GABAergic neurons in the zona incerta (ZI). Here, we show that these neurons are broadly activated b...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by Jingliang Simon Zhang

Bob Johnston @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social · Apr 22

Wanna grow organoids to understand human retinal development as a research assistant?

Wanna help run the lab as a lab manager?

The Johnston lab is hiring a research assistant/lab manager.

If you are interested, please apply (also please share!):

jobs.jhu.edu/job/Baltimor...

Research Technologist

jobs.jhu.edu

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Reposted by Jingliang Simon Zhang

Bob Johnston @bobbyjeyeguy.bsky.social · Mar 24

Check out this tour de force work from @christ3na.bsky.social in my lab!

Her studies reveal how developmental timing in the retina is controlled like an hourglass. The progenitor:neuron ratio shifts to control signaling levels and trigger photoreceptor development over time. Check it out!!

bioRxivpreprint @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social · Mar 24

DIO3 coordinates photoreceptor development timing and fate stability in human retinal organoids https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.20.644422v1

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Reposted by Jingliang Simon Zhang

Carolyn Ibberson @cbibberson.bsky.social · Feb 22

I created a brief spreadsheet of reductions I've heard of so far. Any additions you know of (especially if you have the links/receipts) would be great: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Jingliang Simon Zhang

Rejji Kuruvilla @rkuruvi1.bsky.social · Dec 12

Happy for this paper to be out on direct circadian-independent effects of light on glucose and lipid metabolism. Spearheaded by student, Xiangning Chen, and in collaboration with Haiqing Zhao and @samerhattar.bsky.social

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Light modulates glucose and lipid homeostasis via the sympathetic nervous system

Light exerts circadian-independent effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.

www.science.org

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Jingliang Simon Zhang @simonomisz.bsky.social · Dec 12

Wrapping up my first CSHL meeting #CSHL2024Brain ! Had a great time discussing and learning a lot from this welcoming and inspiring community💡Many thanks to organizers @sergiuppasca.bsky.social and Dr. Guo-li Ming for making this meeting fruitful and enjoyable to all attendees, especially trainees!

Sergiu P. Pasca @sergiuppasca.bsky.social · Dec 11

Our 2024 CSHL conference on human brain development and stem cell models is in full swing, with over 300 participants!

This year’s event features exciting new discoveries and dynamic discussions, driven largely by the energy & insights of trainees

#Assembloids #Organoids #Brain
#CSHL2024Brain

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Jingliang Simon Zhang @simonomisz.bsky.social · Dec 9

Heading out of town for the 2024 #cshlbrain meeting at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and ready to dive into the fascinating world of brain organoids!

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